Norwich Rotary Club
September 29th, 2021
Location-Bella Fiore
THE RONE
Presiding: President Andy Nollman
Invocation: Lottie Scott
Fellowship: Barry Shead
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: None
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: Bonnie Johnson brought her husband David Johnson
Barry’s fellowship was on the finer points of Tea by the urging of fellow member Bonnie Johnson. Did you know that Iced Tea is the most drank and consists of 75% of all tea consumed in the US. The most popular tea brand is Lipton Tea followed by Bigelow, Twining’s and Celestial Seasonings. Over 84 billion servings of tea were served in 2019. Tea has been rising in popularity and there are more tea drinkers than coffee drinkers. Throughout the globe Turkey is #1 in tea consumption followed by Ireland and the United Kingdom. The United States is a distant 35th in tea consumption.
Announcements:
*Andy had the following announcements:
*If you know of anyone who would be a good speaker at one of our Rotary Meetings contact Bob Farwell or Kevin Wickless. Speakers can be done virtual (ZOOM) as well if needed.
*On September 25th the Rotary had a very successful Amber Alert project at the Greater Norwich Chamber of Commerce Healthy Living day at Dodd Stadium. Mike Matera organized the Amber alert registration booth and 21 kids were registered at the event.
*The Winter Coat Drive is now under way with the beginning of the “No Show Gala” that is now up and running and ready for your donations! The goal is $10,000 and there has already $1,250.00 raised after only one day. Log on to the Norwich Rotary website and make your donation today!
*The Liberty Bank Thanksgiving drive will begin in mid-October.
Happy Dollars: Rodney Green
*Rodney started things off and said he is looking for employees to work at his restaurant. He has been pulling double duty running the restaurant as well as cooking! Rodney also reminded there is still time to take part in the Annual Chestnut Street Playhouse Golf Tournament that will be held on October 6th!
*Nancy Gentes said that she heard from Kathryn Lord of the Lord Foundation and it looks like the club will be receiving a $5,000.00 grant from the foundation!
*Erin Gizio said she was glad to be attending Rotary as the bank has hired people so she can leave the bank and come to Rotary! She also said she is walking in the Annual Terrie Brouder “Walk for a Cure” Cancer Walk in memory of her mother who died 4 years ago. Please donate if you can!
*Mike Matera thanked all who helped the Amber Alert project this past Saturday. He thought it sad that some parents were willing to wait in line for balloon animals, but not a few minutes to get their kid registered for Amber Alert.
*Gary Young had a great time away in Myrtle Beach but when he returned home he found that his furnace, as well as his TV was not functioning. Gary also said he most likely drank 5 gallons of sweet tea while down south!
*Jay Waitte reported that his son will be training pilots again for the Air Force. He flies an F-22 that always beats the hell out the F-18’s the others fly!
*Terry Congdon said she was at St. Anthony’s Chapel and donated a painting on tin of St. Theresa that now hangs in the chapel.
*Jeff Bruning gave Mike Matera thanks for the Amber Alert and said he enjoyed working with him at the booth on Saturday. Jeff also reported that his son has taken up Cross Country and came in 11th out of 400 in his very first race! He’s a natural! Jeff also took his sailboat out to Montauk over the weekend and sailed through 30 knot winds for an interesting ride!
*Mike Cooney said there is a cigar event fundraiser in honor of a friend and see Barry Shead for tickets. He thanked Mike Matera for his Amber Alert efforts! Mike also said he has taken over the duties of the local Scout Pack and is actively recruiting now scouts. He was sad to report that his cousin died and has left a wife and 3 kids. The kids have lost both their father and grandfather this year. Keep them in your thoughts.
*Barry Shead went to the Big E and said there have been 1.2 million visitors already. He also joked he enjoyed a $20.00 lobster roll while there! He is also selling roses for the Putnam Rotary Club and to contact him if you care to purchase a few dozen!
*Susy Hurlbert said that the Realtors Association has donated to the Terrie Brodeur Foundation. She said there was a very successful Realtors Conference at Foxwoods and 100 people attended and enjoyed a number of really good speakers. She also said she has been enjoying Southeastern Connecticut and Southern Rhode Island since she has moved to the area. The best Bogie Boarding can be found at Dunes Park in Misquamicut in Rhode Island!
*Lottie Scott said she was just plain happy to be at Rotary and see everyone!
*Andy Grant thanked Rodney Green for all he does for the Chestnut Street Playhouse!
*Marilyn Lowney via Zoom said she was happy that she can now bend her knee that she injured a few months ago!
Auction: Bill Champagne auctioned off a $20.00 gift certificate to Sweet Mama’s Bakery in Norwichtown. Andy Grant was the high bidder at $25.00!
Lottery: Susy Hurlbert: Susy Hurlbert, Jim Daly and Jay Waitte drew cards to no avail! Jim Daly did win the ARC Cookies that he generously shared!
Program: Andy Nollman introduced Past President Mary Richardson who presented a check to the Haitian Health Foundation in the amount of $2,250.00 that will purchase 15 goats for needy families in Haiti. Marilyn Lowney accepted the donation and gave a brief update of what the HHF has been doing since the earthquake. President Andy then conducted a membership conversation and then called on each member of the club to publicly speak before the club and name a person that they will invite to lunch and hopefully get their guest to consider Rotary membership.
At 1:20pm Bob Reed led the club members in the 4 Way Test and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Reed – RONE Reporter